Famines are caused by multiple factors including conflict and climate. A famine is not a natural disaster but a result of human actions or lack of action to prevent it. They do not happen overnight; they develop over time until they cause massive harm and suffering. Droughts occur every few years in East Africa. Because of climate change, they are becoming even more frequent. These are the driest conditions with the highest temperatures in the region for more than 40 years.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Persia was ruled by the Qajar dynasty, which suffered from weak central authority, corruption, and limited administrative capacity. The country was strategically important due to its location between British-controlled India, Russian territories, and the Ottoman Empire. As a result, foreign powers routinely interfered in Persian affairs. When World War I broke out in 1914, Persia declared neutrality. However, this neutrality was not respected. British, Russian, and Ottoman troops entered and occupied different regions of the country.
